Rodney Watkins

An Athens man is facing seven charges after fleeing Tuesday from Athens police, an official said.

Rodney Oneal Watkins, 41, of 1103 Bristol St., is charged with the following:

• Unlawful possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance;

• Two counts unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine and hydrocodone);

• Carrying brass knuckles;

• Attempting to elude a law enforcement officer;

• Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Failure to appear in court on a previous charge of possessing an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.

Athens Police Capt. Trevor Harris said in a press release issued Wednesday Officer Randy Vickers tried to stop the driver of a red truck on McClellan Street. The driver, Watkins, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and he did not have a driver’s license.

Once Vickers activated his blue lights to make the stop, Watkins sped over the McClellan Street railroad crossing so quickly the hood on his truck flew open. Watkins then abandoned his truck at the intersection of McClellan and North Marion Street and fled west on foot.

Vickers found Watkins hiding under the front bumper of a car parked in a nearby driveway and arrested him.

Watkins was booked at Athens Police Department and transferred to the Limestone County Jail on the felony and misdemeanor charges. He remained jailed Wednesday afternoon. Bail is set at $15,250 on all but the failure to appear charge.